Tuesday, 25 July 2017

Happy 100th Anniversary Nikon!

Nikon is celebrating a rather important anniversary today as the 25th July 2017 marks the 100th year of the company's establishment.

Nikon began as Nippon Kogaku K.K. (Japan Optical Industries Co., Ltd) on this day within the Tokyo Keiki company at 120 Haramachi, Koishikawa-ku (present-day Hakusan 4-chome, Bunkyo-ku) in Tokyo.

The design and mass production of cameras and interchangeable lenses wasn’t the company’s focus, as Nippon Kogaku would find its feet – and build its reputation – with the design and production of optical instruments such as rangefinders and microscopes.

At this point in Japan’s history, the production of advanced optical instruments was a matter of national urgency. Entrusted with this objective was Koyata Iwasaki, the president of Mitsubishi and nephew of Mitsubishi founder Yataro Iwasaki.

The company has since grown into an iconic global brand with loyal professionals and amateurs customers.

"Since 1917, we have been creating unique value all over the world by providing consumer and industrial optical equipment, including lithography systems and microscopes as well as cameras, based on optoelectronics and precision technologies," says Nikon.

Earlier this year, Nikon released a video to commemorate the occasion which looks at some of the defining moments for Nikon over the last 100 years and the company has also created a special 100th-anniversary website.

As for what's to come over the next 100 years, the well-known camera brand has said they will continue to use the 'advanced technical capabilities it has cultivated over its long history to provide appealing imaging products and solutions all over the world' and today's announcement about the development of the D850 certainly backs this statement up.

To continue the celebrations through the summer, Nikon has created a collection of iconic images, stories and advice from photographers all over the world, who have helped shape a century of imagination and the brand’s rich history. The content hub will also offer a behind the scenes virtual tour of the Nikon Museum in Tokyo.